A LOCAL COMPANY in Linfen, Shanxi province, reportedly pays its skilled workers more than 3 million yuan ($452,200) a year, four times the wage of the chief manager. Yanzhou Evening News comments:

The high pay of the skilled workers in Linfen has made headlines, with many applauding the news, but the fact that it made headlines shows the average pay for such workers remains quite low nationwide.

The low pay for skilled workers discourages gifted people from seeking technical jobs. As a result, the techniques and skills of workers in China still lag behind those in developed countries.

By paying skilled workers well, the company in Linfen is setting a good example. It has allowed them to find their value in the modern industrial system. Their high pay not only improves their living standards, but also grants them a unique sense of honor and recognition of their skills.

As China is upgrading its manufacturing industry, large numbers of skilled workers are needed. That in turn requires more companies raise their pay for skilled workers, so as to encourage more talented people to join them. That will make Chinese enterprises more competitive in the global market.